Short Circuit Or Negligence? What Led To Deaths At Jaipur's Sawai Man Singh Hospital Fire

Eight lives were lost when a fire engulfed the ICU of the Sawai Man Singh hospital in Rajasthan’s Jaipur. While initial probe has pointed to a short circuit, the final cause of the fire is yet to be out.

However, families of the patients who died have pointed to negligence.

What Led To The Fire?

The devastating fire broke out late Sunday night at the trauma centre of Jaipur’s Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital, claiming the lives of several critically ill patients. The blaze erupted around 11:20 pm in the neuro-intensive care unit (ICU), where 11 patients were undergoing treatment, while 13 others were admitted to the adjacent ward.

According to Dr Anurag Dhakad, the in-charge of the trauma centre, the fire is suspected to have been caused by a short circuit in the electrical system. He explained that most of the patients in the neuro ICU were in extremely critical condition, many of them comatose, which made evacuation and survival efforts particularly challenging. “Our patients were already in a very critical state, with weak survival reflexes. When the fire caused toxic gases to fill the ward, their condition deteriorated further,” Dr Dhakad said.

Hospital staff and emergency responders immediately rushed to move the patients to ICUs located on the lower floors of the building. However, despite their best efforts, several patients succumbed to the combined effects of smoke inhalation, electrical burns, and their pre-existing medical conditions. “We tried our best to shift them along with their life-support systems, but unfortunately, we could not save them,” Dr Dhakad added.

Jaipur Police Commissioner Biju George Joseph confirmed that an investigation has been initiated to determine the exact cause of the fire. While a short circuit appears to be the most likely reason, he stated that the final conclusion will only be drawn after a detailed report from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL). The bodies of the deceased have been moved to the hospital mortuary, and post-mortem examinations will be conducted once the forensic and procedural formalities are completed. Authorities have assured that all necessary measures are being taken to ensure such a tragedy does not recur.

‘Staff Were The First To Run’

Tensions escalated outside Jaipur’s Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital as relatives of the deceased staged a protest near the trauma centre, expressing anger and grief over what they alleged was gross negligence. The protesters claimed that the fire-fighting equipment inside the ICU was empty and non-functional. They further alleged that, despite being alerted to the presence of smoke, hospital staff neither acted swiftly to extinguish the flames nor made timely efforts to evacuate the critically ill patients.

Several relatives claimed they had noticed smoke inside the Intensive Care Unit and raised alarms, but their concerns were brushed aside by the hospital staff.

“We noticed smoke and immediately alerted the staff, but they didn’t pay attention. When the fire broke out, they were the first to run. Now, no one is telling us anything about our patients’ condition,” a distraught family member told PTI.

Another victim’s relative, speaking to ANI, alleged that there were no firefighting arrangements in place when the flames erupted. “The ICU caught fire, but there was no equipment to extinguish it — no fire extinguishers, no cylinders, not even water to douse the flames. There were no facilities at all. My mother didn’t survive,” the relative said, breaking down while recounting the ordeal.

Om Prakash, another relative of a patient admitted to the trauma centre, said that despite noticing smoke around 11:20 pm, his warnings went unheeded. “I warned the doctors that it could cause discomfort to patients, but by the time the smoke intensified, the doctors and compounders had already fled. Only four to five patients had been evacuated,” he told ANI.

Prakash added that his maternal aunt’s son, who had been recovering and was expected to be discharged within a few days, tragically lost his life in the fire. “He was doing better and was about to go home soon, but the fire took him away,” he said.

The allegations of negligence have intensified public anger, prompting the state government to order a thorough investigation into safety lapses and emergency preparedness at the hospital.

What Did The Hospital Say?

In an official statement, the SMS Hospital confirmed that the tragic fire at its trauma centre was caused by a short circuit in Neuro Surgery ICU Number 1. At the time of the incident, 11 patients were admitted to the affected ICU. All of them were immediately shifted to other wards and ICUs within the hospital as rescue efforts began. However, despite the medical team’s prompt response, six patients tragically lost their lives.

The hospital further clarified that its trauma centre comprises four Intensive Care Units (ICUs) with a total capacity of 46 beds, all of which were fully occupied when the fire broke out. In addition, the trauma centre has 250 general ward beds, bringing the total bed capacity to 284 — every one of which was occupied by patients at the time of the incident.

The statement emphasised that medical and emergency teams acted swiftly to contain the fire and relocate patients to safer areas. Hospital authorities have expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and assured full cooperation with the ongoing investigation to determine the precise cause of the fire and assess any possible safety lapses.

Political Row Erupts Over Negligence Allegations

Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot condemned the incident, calling it “extremely shameful and horrifying.” He criticised the government for not disclosing the whereabouts of the deceased patients’ bodies and said the way hospital staff abandoned patients during the fire was “unacceptable.” Gehlot demanded a judicial inquiry, asserting that a routine investigation would not deliver justice or uncover the truth.

Speaking to reporters, Rajasthan Congress President Govind Singh Dotasra squarely blamed the state government for the tragedy. He alleged that hospital staff fled the scene, leaving patients behind in the ICU. Dotasra also accused the administration of concealing information about the deceased, claiming that the families were neither being handed the bodies nor informed about their location. “Even after ten hours of the incident, the Health Minister has not arrived at the hospital,” he added, calling the government’s response insensitive and inadequate.

Meanwhile, BJP MLA Gopal Sharma acknowledged the gravity of the allegations made by the victims’ families, including the delay in firefighting efforts and the staff’s reported desertion. He assured that a thorough investigation would be conducted to establish accountability. On the protests involving Congress leaders, Sharma remarked, “Congress is protesting alongside the families.” Responding to demands for the Health Minister’s resignation, he added pointedly, “Who resigned during Congress rule?”

Leader of the Opposition Tikaram Jully also lashed out at the Bhajanlal Sharma-led government, holding it responsible for the deaths of eight patients. Calling the non-functional fire equipment a case of “deadly negligence,” he demanded the immediate resignation of the Health Minister. “The government must answer for this,” Jully said, urging strict action against those found guilty of lapses.